## **PRBC ANNUAL REPORT 2022** Perry Rise Baptist Church has as its Mission Statement – ‘We aim to be a place where Christ can be found and from which Christ can be taken into the community.’ This is worked out in practice through: activities within the church; involvement with and support provided to our local community; engagement with the wider Baptist family, and with other Christian and community bodies. The Trustees, referred to as the Leadership Team - Minister, Church Secretary, Treasurer, Elders and Deacons, appointed by church members, are responsible both as charity Trustees, and have specific roles as Elders (primary responsibility for spiritual matters), and Deacons (who take the lead on practical and financial management) of the church. Each group meets monthly, and Leadership Team bimonthly. Sub-groups take responsibility for service planning, pastoral care, outreach, finance, buildings, and administration. Newly appointed Elders and Deacons have an induction plan, with the provision of information on trustee roles and responsibilities, and the offer of a Mentor - a more experienced Trustee who can assist with the induction and background information on ongoing matters. The Leadership Team enjoyed both a learning and social time together at an awayday, giving the opportunity to pray, discuss, learn, have fun and fellowship together. This assisted the team in working together more effectively. The chosen verse for 2022 was Isaiah 43v19 – See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? During Covid lockdown, services were recorded and subsequently broadcast by a small group of people. Once allowed to re-meet in person, safeguards were put in place to encourage and ensure social distancing. Despite great efforts, the congregation members were so pleased to see one another, not all distancing guidance was followed. However, as a church, we were blessed in that none of our congregation died from Covid. We were so pleased when able to recommence ‘normal’ communion with shared elements. Our previously (pre-Covid) vibrant midweek meetings – prayer and bible study, and social activities – did not get back on their feet once able to meet again, apart from the art group which has continued to flourish. Church attendance was affected as a number of people had either aged to a point where they struggled to get out or were reluctant to participate in face-to-face meetings. The Leadership Team met for prayer on Zoom, and on-line prayer meetings took place, enabling the congregation to gather for prayer. Care triplets were encouraged. Our Minister requested, and it was agreed that she would reduce to half hours in order to allow her time to care for and support her aging parents. The Leadership Team, particularly Elders took on more responsibilities, primarily around preaching and pastoral care. However, it was still a struggle for our Minister to juggle the responsibilities she had in the time available to her. After many years of indecision, trying to discern the way forward on additional ministry, and then putting funds aside to afford additional ministerial leadership our Minister going part time provided additional funds which enabled the church to seek a new full-time minister to work alongside our current Minister. The process of discernment/selection was initiated with church and minister profiles being produced, and after due processes and much prayer were undertaken, Rev Dan Boakye was appointed and commenced his appointment with Perry Rise in May 2023. Dan was well known to us as he had spent time as a student placement with us over a decade ago. We give thanks to God for bringing us together; we are delighted to have Dan and his family with us. Discussions over the image and wording were finalised and a new banner was installed outside the church, with various congregation hands and ‘Made in the image of God’ message showing to our community. To increase our profile in this digital age, a church Instagram account was set up and occasional postings are made. The preaching team continue to be developed and utilised, but our music has struggled with our Minister/keyboard lead a bit less in attendance, and a very significant musician and worship leader having moved away. The church designed and ran a survey into our equality, diversity and inclusion practices, specifically considering a reality check on race and inclusion. A summary of responses was produced and considered by a task group, the Leadership Team and a Church Meeting. Work continues on this initiative. Junior church faced a number of challenges with volunteer staffing, numbers and consistency of children attending. Aspire, the Saturday morning for children who struggle with regular school celebrated its first year of service to the community and was asked to lead worship on 9 October to update the church progress and achievement over the year. It was good to celebrate with Aspire leaders, children, patents and volunteers all of whom participated in the service. The church has been without Brigades for a few years now. There have been a number of enthusiastic volunteers happy to assist, but no leader as yet. The two possibilities we had, for very different reasons, didn’t come to fruition, and so we return to prayer for guidance in this situation. Our kitchen redevelopment project (Outer Space) was finally completed, having been delayed by Covid and shortages of building materials. Training on our new industrial type ovens took place with our catering team and use of this space commenced. Giving towards the project continued throughout lockdown and both regular giving and fundraising efforts meant that by the end of 2022, the church had been able to pay off the loan from London Baptist Property Board, and to work towards refunding the interest free loans given by friends of the church. Outer Space fundraising initiatives included: our Minister recorded a worship music CD; bottles with lights for sale; concert on 2 April; quiz sheets; ‘Patties and Praise’; plus 15 October dinner dance – very successfully raising £3,000. Inevitably with an older building, there are constant maintenance and repair issues. A small team oversee care of the premises and another small, and enthusiastic group look after the garden/outside areas, with a big effort to clear the rear garden area. Following the kitchen there are a number of other updating needs required on the church premises, such as upgrading the sanctuary lighting; guttering all round the premises; external doors not weathering well; technology updates for recording and streaming services, amongst other priorities. The manse, being in a conservation area, has its own challenges. Generally, the building is in good order, but for years the conservatory has been a maintenance headache with leaks and water damage, and the building is cold and difficult to heat in the winter. However, doing building works generally requires architects drawings, planning permission and particular local authority conservation requirements to be met. This adds to cost and timescales considerably. A decision was taken to sell the manse, our Minister already having plans to move out, and to purchase a newer home for our new Minister. A Manse Trust was set up, under the guidance of the London Baptist Property Board. Unfortunately, once advertised, house prices began to tumble, and interest in the manse was slow. At time of writing, the manse is still available for sale. Meanwhile, having appointed a new minister, the church is paying rent on his current property, pending Perry Rise having funds to purchase a new manse. All church services, prayer meetings, the Aspire group for young people, carers group, food bank, men’s curry night and women’s social are all open to the congregation and community, and so the church considers it meets the expectations of public benefit. Food Bank, which we host as a distribution centre, celebrated its ten years of service in our locality, and an event to mark this occasion was held at the church. Church folk volunteer on a weekly basis at our centre, and many of the congregation bring food and other goods to the church to support this work. Anna Chaplaincy has four church members regularly involved in visiting a local care home for the elderly where around 90% of residents have forms of dementia. Our team visits are welcomed. A number of special events took place during the year, including: - We celebrated a baptism on 16 January with two candidates - 21 January and 5 March – Church days of prayer and fasting - 13 March, 12 June and 18 September – Church Family lunches - 2 April – concert in aid of Outer Space - 8-9 April - Easter Bible Club for children - 24 April – church day trip to Bournemouth - 30 April – Messenger Choir concert - Our usual month of prayer in June took place, but with increased on-line rather than gathering in person meetings. A daily prayer diary was made available covering a wide range of topics. - 3 July – A ‘seniors’ service to value the giftings of the older members of our congregation - 30 July – Fundraising Garden Tea Party - Summer services are different as our Minister is away and a range of different people lead, following a theme, but both delivered and focussed differently. - Black History Month was once again marked with exhibition, features in services and celebration. Actions were taken to encourage the teaching of black history as a regular feature in school curriculums; not just as a ‘special’ topic. Black history is a central feature of Aspire teaching. - 19 October – Annual Sam Sharpe lecture - We also held a Christmas outreach – singing at our entrance and handing out invitations to Christmas services. Apart from giving to support the work of our church, pay our Ministers, contribute to home and overseas mission funds, the church financially supported Christian Aid, Royal British Legion (poppy sale) and Spurgeon’s Childcare. One of our members has been appointed Minute Secretary of our local Churches Together; another member is a Trustee of London Baptists and Governor of Spurgeon’s College; and this has increased our knowledge and involvement in these groups. We have maintained contacts with our link missionaries, having Zoom updates, enabling people to ask them questions, as well as receiving their regular prayer newsletters. Due to moving away, the church lost five significant members, who over the years have contributed greatly to the church in leadership, service, generosity of time and support, pastoral care, and involvement with many aspects of church life. Their contributions are greatly missed but their various skills will be welcomed by their new churches. Perry Rise Baptist Church Forest Hill, SE23 2QL Accounts for the Year 2022 Charity Registration Number 1131199 PRBC Accounts 2022, page 1 of 8 PERRY RISE BAPTIST CHURCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 GENERAL FUND: RECEIPTS & PAYMEKrs 2022 2021 RoGglpts Regular offerings Thank Offering.. donatlons Gift Aid daimed 77,431.02 75,237.79 3.660.00 553.75 7.CP30.00 4,213.75 3,122. 19,460.44 7,090.00 2,407.77 15.832,07 950.35 1.465.15 Donations and other Income Glft Ald claimed for the General Fund HMRC CJRS G￿nI Bank interesl Contributions for use of premises: by Church Organisations by others 1.562.97 415.00 11030.00 125.00 5 555.00 11445.00 5.880.00 16,599.48 125.262.61 Raised for Olher Cavses.. 20,205.47 137 441.55 Paymgnts Mlnlstry Mission Upkeep of church pr8mlse8 Adminislratlon 28,312.94 24,374.56 19.462.84 6,276.50 78.426.84 39.246.02 20,251.73 15.020. 11 6,054.68 80.572.54 Surplus lor the year deduct, Transfers to olh8r fund$ 59,014.71 34,807.83 24.206.88 44,690.07 35,020.54 9.669.53 Balance brought foThvard Balan￿ ￿rrIed forward 43.214.94 67,421.82 33,545.41 43.214.94 PRBC Accounts 2022, page 2 of 8 RESTRICTED FUNDS: RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS OUTER SPACE PROJECT 2022 20ZI RoGglpts Donations Gift claimed Transfer5 In1Th8nk Offerlng} 15,491.17 4,396.S8 4,213.75 24.701.50 30,011.98 6,190.28 7,090.00 43,292.26 Payinonts Professional fee5 Buildings Works Supplies Loan Interest London Property Board Loan Repayment Personal Loans 6,069.36 15.338.86 167.09 3,282.89 80,000.00 304.81 730.07 40.000.00 1,500.00 42.534.88 104.858.00 Surplus Idefl¢ill lor the year -18,433.38 41,565.74 Balance br(whl foThvard Balance carried fornard 39.681.58 21.248.20 101.247.32 39.681.58 DESIGNATED FUNDS: RECEIPTS & PAYMEKrs CARING FUND 2022 2021 Rg¢8lpts Donations Assign8d frorn General Fund Reclalmed Tax 199.￿) 1,708.54 0.00 1,466.14 1,907.54 1,466. 14 Payments Personal gifts & tributes P8yments lo other causes 1,034.30 316.90 1,351.20 1.226.85 280.¢X) 1,506.85 40.71 Surplus (deficit) for tha year 556.34 Balance brought forward Ba18n(t carrled forward 386.44 942.78 427.15 386.44 8100 W>C*C* 8 Ooo rLi Qi(YO ¢0 In 8000008 Oootio oco Lnoowj 0owin￿)0 tror u)0 OC*W) a*Op4￿00- pOtsOO OOLDnvr Clrnro *o(o(yo r)r￿¢00 o(fir Lri O O [*) ro* o o ￿ (yro QC****O 8888th88= 00ryi￿￿o 8008LY8- 000000 000000 Oooooo o o (o 8(4 8&8%%8" £0 uJ£ £ o ( , which ig separate legal enlFiy administered by the Penwon Tnjslee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited). particlpating employers. The Scheme. prevloLk8ty kntxffl as the B¥tist Ministers. Pension Fund. startèd in 1925, but a$ Glosod19 AuLurp Kcffu4 of defjnpd bgjofjts on 31 DKombgr 2Ql 1. Piipr lo thAs date Ihe main benefit provided through the Deflned Benefit (DBI Plan was a pension of eightieth of final minlmum pths1￿7￿)le 4nt(¥ne for each yearof ser¥icè togettw with 8dditK)nal pensi￿ in respect of premiums paid on Penslonabte Income in excess of MiTrtmum Penglonable IIXO￿. Since 1 Jetlliary 2012, beneffts *￿ve t￿TPr￿1ded thrthigh a Defined Contributi￿* {DC) Plan. A fomial v81uatlon of the DB Plan as a131 tlecember 2019 by a professitinalty quallfied Athary u8ing thftPTcgocted lJnit meth¢￿. At the ¥alUat￿ 4late th8 mart(et va￿& ofthe DB Plan assets was £298 mllion, whilst Ihe level of assets needed to pay benefilg was £316m, gfvtng a deficit of £18m (equivatent lo a past ser￿e fvThting level of 94%). The Chufdl and the other participating e￿￿10yerS In the DB Plan are couectively responsible for funding this deficit. The next acfvarial valuafon of the DB P18n wflhln the S(*)eme Is due to take place not later Ihan as al 31 ￿ernber 2022. On the June 2022 Ihe Baptist Pension Scheme signed an agreement wth the Insu￿ce company Just Group ("Jusf) lo secure DB Plan.members' pension benefts. Just are now pro￿ldIng financial backing for all pensions provided through the Sd)eme's DB Plan and following this tran8aclion, the Scherne no longer has a shortfall. An updated Recovery plan was then signed in August 2022 under which ￿¢0very contributions from each part￿pating empl¢yyer in the DB Plan reduced to £1 per ￿M)nIh fiurn August 2022. The accLJunts and Staternent of Assgls and ￿abIlitieS set out on paggs 1 lo 8 relaung lo thg year 9ndlr 31 Ptswnber 2022 are a¥ approv8¢ by th¢ tharity trv$leg1. Sign¢d CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustee81 members of cliap.ty ILS6 èif( 151 C14uÉE kl 81 gcc£H66R 2C*C* 8 Ooo rLi Qi(YO ¢0 In 8000008 Oootio oco Lnoowj 0owin￿)0 tror u)0 OC*W) a*Op4￿00- pOtsOO OOLDnvr Clrnro *o(o(yo r)r￿¢00 o(fir Lri O O [*) ro* o o ￿ (yro QC****O 8888th88= 00ryi￿￿o 8008LY8- 000000 000000 Oooooo o o (o 8(4 8&8%%8" £0 uJ£ £ o ( , which ig separate legal enlFiy administered by the Penwon Tnjslee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited). particlpating employers. The Scheme. prevloLk8ty kntxffl as the B¥tist Ministers. Pension Fund. startèd in 1925, but a$ Glosod19 AuLurp Kcffu4 of defjnpd bgjofjts on 31 DKombgr 2Ql 1. Piipr lo thAs date Ihe main benefit provided through the Deflned Benefit (DBI Plan was a pension of eightieth of final minlmum pths1￿7￿)le 4nt(¥ne for each yearof ser¥icè togettw with 8dditK)nal pensi￿ in respect of premiums paid on Penslonabte Income in excess of MiTrtmum Penglonable IIXO￿. Since 1 Jetlliary 2012, beneffts *￿ve t￿TPr￿1ded thrthigh a Defined Contributi￿* {DC) Plan. A fomial v81uatlon of the DB Plan as a131 tlecember 2019 by a professitinalty quallfied Athary u8ing thftPTcgocted lJnit meth¢￿. At the ¥alUat￿ 4late th8 mart(et va￿& ofthe DB Plan assets was £298 mllion, whilst Ihe level of assets needed to pay benefilg was £316m, gfvtng a deficit of £18m (equivatent lo a past ser￿e fvThting level of 94%). The Chufdl and the other participating e￿￿10yerS In the DB Plan are couectively responsible for funding this deficit. The next acfvarial valuafon of the DB P18n wflhln the S(*)eme Is due to take place not later Ihan as al 31 ￿ernber 2022. On the June 2022 Ihe Baptist Pension Scheme signed an agreement wth the Insu￿ce company Just Group ("Jusf) lo secure DB Plan.members' pension benefts. Just are now pro￿ldIng financial backing for all pensions provided through the Sd)eme's DB Plan and following this tran8aclion, the Scherne no longer has a shortfall. An updated Recovery plan was then signed in August 2022 under which ￿¢0very contributions from each part￿pating empl¢yyer in the DB Plan reduced to £1 per ￿M)nIh fiurn August 2022. The accLJunts and Staternent of Assgls and ￿abIlitieS set out on paggs 1 lo 8 relaung lo thg year 9ndlr 31 Ptswnber 2022 are a¥ approv8¢ by th¢ tharity trv$leg1. Sign¢d CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustee81 members of cliap.ty ILS6 èif( 151 C14uÉE kl 81 gcc£H66R 2